Chapter 2
“Hey, hey, breaking news! Breaking news!!”
The nurses, who were in the middle of their meal, turned their attention to their overly excited colleague.
“Don’t be shocked! It’s about the patient in room 3. The one who woke up a few days ago. Turns out he has amnesia!”
“What? That’s insane.”
“Unbelievable! This is huge!”
“Right? Isn’t it crazy?”
While everyone was in shock, a new nurse, unaware of the situation, looked at her senior with a puzzled expression.
“Senior, isn’t room 3 the VIP room? Who’s in there that’s causing such a stir?”
“Huh? You don’t know? It’s Park Ki-hyuk, the son of the president of Optimum Agent and the youngest of the Swordsmanship Clan!”
“Ah!! Mana Deficiency!! So that patient was him?!”
Mana Deficiency is a rare condition where the body cannot accept mana.
It was the first case ever discovered, causing a huge uproar at the time. Moreover, the patient was none other than the son of the famous president of Optimum Agent and the youngest member of the Swordsmanship Clan.
A fallen genius, they said. It caused quite a sensation in Korea, to the point where it would be odd not to know about it.
“But, senior, if he was hospitalized for Mana Deficiency, I would have known about it.”
“Mi-yeon, you really don’t know anything, do you? The patient in room 3 wasn’t hospitalized for Mana Deficiency.”
“Then, what was it?”
“Don’t be shocked.”
The senior hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“He swallowed a magic stone!”
“……A magic stone.”
“He swallowed it!”
“Raw?”
“Completely raw!”
“That’s insane!!”
Magic stones are extracted from monsters.
Because of this, unrefined magic stones are contaminated with the unique madness of monsters and various other energies. To be used by humans, purification and processing are essential.
“The most absurd part is that it wasn’t just a one-time thing; he kept consuming them. What do you think happened? Boom!! He was in a coma when he was admitted to room 3.”
“Why? Why on earth would anyone do something so reckless……?”
“Why else? He must have thought it might cure his Mana Deficiency.”
“Come to think of it, I do feel sorry for him. Wasn’t he once hailed as a genius who would surpass his father and older brother?”
“They praised him as an unprecedented prodigy, a body crafted by the mistake of the gods.”
“Oh? I remember! That was all over the news back then. It really makes you think you can’t trust the media.”
“Right, right.”
“Well, it’s not always like that.”
“……?!”
“……??”
The nurse, who had been quietly eating, finally spoke up.
“Did you see the patient in room 3? He’s enormous. He doesn’t even look human.”
“That, that big, senior?”
“Yes, just by looking at him, he’s over 2 meters tall. And his proportions are incredible. Even though he’s emaciated, he looks like a model. If he hadn’t done something as dangerous as trying to become a superhuman, he would have already made it as a model. Truly a body shaped by the mistake of the gods.”
“Wow……”
“I want to see him too.”
“That’s not all. The patient in room 3 is already walking.”
“……?!”
“……What?”
“Come on, you’re joking, right? Senior, Park Ki-hyuk was in a coma for six months. And now he’s walking within a week?”
“It’s hard to believe, right? I can’t believe it either. But what can we do? It’s the truth. See you later.”
“Senior! Wait!”
“Let’s go together, senior!!”
“Try moving.”
Park Ki-hyuk moved.
“That’s right. Try walking a little more.”
Park Ki-hyuk walked.
“Good. Very good. Now, let’s see if you can take slightly larger steps.”
Park Ki-hyuk put strength into his legs and took a step forward.
A tall, emaciated body relying on a walker, barely managing to move.
With each step, sweat poured down from this body, this body of Park Ki-hyuk.
This is me.
This is my new vessel.
“You did well. You’ve done excellently today. Let’s take a break.”
“Phew, thank you.”
As the rehabilitation therapist exited the room, a woman who had been observing through the transparent window approached the therapist.
If I’m Park Ki-hyuk, then this dignified woman with neatly combed hair is Kim Yeon-hee.
On the day I regained consciousness, she rushed to me, gasping for breath, tears streaming down her face. Since then, she’s been doing all sorts of menial tasks for me. She must be my mother.
“It still feels strange.”
A completely new world, an unfamiliar family.
I’ve been pondering how to accept all of this, but what can I do?
I can’t even walk properly, so I’m in no position to be picky. I’ll just accept the care. Surprisingly, it’s not so bad.
The body is one thing, but it would have been less frustrating if I had at least some memories, but that’s not something I can control either.
If there were even a trace of the previous soul left, I might have been able to extract some memories, but the previous owner of this body must have been in a hurry because by the time I took over, they had completely vanished into nothingness, and I had to face a mother who was crying rivers of tears without knowing anything.
But still. It’s a good thing I have some sense; otherwise, I might have blurted out, “Who are you?” to her.
By keeping my mouth shut, the doctors conveniently diagnosed me with “amnesia,” providing a perfect excuse.
It turns out, keeping quiet really is the best policy.
The old man wasn’t wrong after all.
What’s surprising is Kim Yeon-hee…… no, I mean, mother’s reaction.
When they told her her son had lost his memory, she actually seemed relieved.
She even said, “It’s a good thing, Ki-hyuk. Let’s shake off those bad memories and start anew. I’ll help you.”
Bad memories……
With my sharp intuition, I realized immediately at this point that the original owner of this body had some kind of story.
“But.”
I don’t care.
Park Ki-hyuk is Park Ki-hyuk, and I am me.
What do I care if there was some drama or lingering attachment?
I’m the master of this body now.
I’m not an idiot who would waste the present clinging to a past I know nothing about. I’m certainly not someone who would miss out on a golden opportunity bestowed by the heavens.
“To squander a god-given talent by hesitating and wavering.”
There’s nothing more shameful than that.
I stood up, smiling with determination.
……
…
Thud!
“Doctor! Ki-hyuk!!”
“Patient! Are you all right?!”
“Ha, ha…… Could you help me up, please?”
I’ll have to start by building up this body.
After barely catching my breath back in the hospital room, the attending physician came to visit.
He stepped outside to talk with my guardian, and I could see them conversing through the window.
But did you know, both of you?
I can hear everything.
“As you can see, all the contaminated mana that had spread to his organs seems to be gone. And here……”
I want to make it clear, it’s not that I’m eavesdropping.
I just hear everything from the start, so what can I do?
The first thing that shocked me when I regained consciousness was these ridiculously heightened senses.
“……his progress has been far beyond expectations. His will to rehabilitate is remarkable. However, regarding his memory……”
“It’s okay.”
Despite always bowing in gratitude, my mother would cut off the conversation sharply whenever the topic of memories came up.
The doctor smiled awkwardly, realizing he had brought up an uncomfortable subject.
Mother, really, you’re making me embarrassed here. I smiled kindly at the doctor glancing nervously in my direction from beyond the window. It’s okay, I smiled sincerely, but it only made his expression more awkward.
……Is my smile that strange?
“When do you plan to discharge him?”
“What do you think, doctor?”
“Well, ideally, the patient should stay hospitalized until he has fully recovered.”
“Hmm…… That’s not what you said earlier. A moment ago, you said that based on the chart alone, he’s practically normal.”
“Oh, ah! That’s not what I meant. There’s a difference between the chart and his actual condition. Today, for example, I heard he missed a step during rehabilitation. It’s not uncommon for patients who were unconscious for a long time to…….”
The conversation drags on, but it always ends the same.
The doctor showers my body with embarrassing praise, calling it miraculous, and then asks if he can run a few more tests.
It’s been the same routine for days.
And to this, my mother.
“I’ll think about it.”
Firmly turned the conversation away.
Her response made the doctor squirm like a dog with a bone.
Amusing.
This body really must be special. Seeing how they’re practically groveling for just a few drops of blood. Well, I can’t blame them; even I’m surprised by what’s inside. So imagine how curious they must be.
But what can they do? From what I’ve seen, it’s all a waste of time.
If my guess is correct, this body isn’t something that can be figured out with a few drops of blood.
No matter how advanced human technology is, no matter how sophisticated human magic becomes.
If I’m right……
“This body is beyond the realm of what humans can handle.”
Soon after, my mother opened the door and came in. She tried to relax her expression in front of her son, but she couldn’t completely hide the worry on her face.
Pretending to know nothing, I asked.
“Why the face? Did they ask for more blood?”
“No, they just gave me an update on your condition. They said you’ve improved a lot. The doctor seemed really surprised. I’m proud of you, son.”
“Mother.”
“Mom.”
“Yes, Mom. Didn’t you say before? We promised never to lie to each other.”
Mother paused briefly at the mention of lies, then spoke cautiously.
“Phew…… I’m sorry, son. You’re right. The doctors keep insisting on more tests.”
“Well, let them. I’m okay with it.”
“No, I don’t think so. It’s like they’re treating someone else’s precious son like a lab rat. The more I think about it, the more furious I get. They’re just testing the waters, seeing how far they can push.”
“Whoa, whoa, Mom. Here, have some water and calm down.”
Gulping down the bottle of water, my mother spoke with newfound resolve.
“Son, I think we need to change hospitals.”
To which I nodded in agreement.
“Let’s just discharge me.”
“Discharge? Are you sure?”
“I’m getting a bit bored anyway.”
“But you still can’t even walk properly……”
“Isn’t being able to walk by myself enough?”
Startled by my sudden declaration, my mother tilted her head in confusion, and I simply smiled back at her.
Two days, give me two days.
That’s how long it will take for me to walk on my own, without a walker.
And two days later.
I was walking out the hospital’s main entrance on my own two feet, without any assistance.
Even after being discharged, my peculiar behavior continued.
Three days after discharge.
I walked around the neighborhood on my own. Though I did vomit along the way, I made it back.
Four days after discharge.
My dormant digestive system resumed its function, and I started eating meals instead of porridge. That miso soup was delicious.
Seven days after discharge.
I began jogging at dawn, gaining 10 kilograms. I look better than before, though a kindergarten kid still called me a stick. That was insulting.
Ten days after discharge.
I added afternoon exercises, gaining an additional 5 kilograms. Everyone was shocked when I showed up at the gym.
Of course, in a bad way.
Twenty days after discharge.
I was now eating nine meals a day and exercising morning, noon, and night. As my organs fully recovered, I was experiencing rapid growth.
And today, the 30th day after discharge.
The humiliating image of me unable to take a step on my own is now gone. Before me stands the reincarnation of Xiang Yu.
Everyone looks at me in awe.
Of course.
In a good way.
……
…
“Whew!”
I’m sprinting down the Han River trail.
The headwind feels exhilarating as it brushes against me, meeting the sweat dripping down and leaving a refreshing sensation in its wake.
After running non-stop for an hour, I naturally attract attention.
“Wow…… He’s really tall. Is that height and those proportions even possible?”
“Can you even see his height? Tsk, you still don’t get it. It’s all about the legs for a man! I can only see those thighs. Look at them. Sculpted, like a statue.”
“He doesn’t seem to get tired. I’m exhausted just cycling.”
“Panting. I can’t keep up. Is he even human?”
There are also women arguing over whether I’m a model or an actor, and groups cursing my important assets as being small—or at least hoping they are.
Different forms of attention, but attention nonetheless.
Well, what can I say? Even I find myself noticeable.
First, my height naturally draws eyes, then people are amazed at my ideal proportions. Finally, they’re stunned by my surreal physical prowess, and each person comes to their conclusion.
That I must be superhuman.
That I must be using mana.
They believe it’s impossible to achieve such performance without using mana.
Some even swear they’ll bet their last name on it. Well, sorry to say, you’ll have to change your name.
Because I’m.
Currently.
Not using a single drop of mana.
‘This is amusing.’
To be compared to mana-empowered superhumans purely on the basis of physical ability.
Considering that just 20 days ago, I was being compared to a ‘twig,’ a ‘zombie,’ and a ‘scarecrow,’ this is a remarkable improvement.
After running for another hour, I wiped myself down with a towel and sat on a bench.
Steam rises from my body.
After sprinting at full speed for two hours, I should be exhausted, yet the finely shredded muscles in my body are clamoring, saying they’ve had enough, begging to be used more.
When will they ever tire?
Even I’m starting to scare myself.
“One month…….”
It’s been one month since I woke up in this world.
In this span, I’ve gained a new family, and a puzzling body.
But now, after exactly one month.
I’m certain.
“About the true nature of this body.”
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